VPFF Charter Member Dies

September 28, 2009 – The IAFF is saddened by the death of former Virginia Professional Firefighters (VPFF) leader and retired member of Portsmouth, VA Local 539 Jack Lilienthal. At 79, he lost his life after a short battle with lung cancer.

In 1951, Lilienthal joined the Portsmouth Fire Department and Local 539, where he held his first union office as secretary. Just four years later, he helped organize and became a charter vice president and later secretary-treasurer for the VPFF.

As a union leader, by all accounts, Lilienthal was strongly committed to fire fighter safety, fair pay and working conditions. After retirement in the early 1980s, he held membership in the Portsmouth Retired Police and Fire Fighters Association until his death.

Three of Lilienthal’s sons also became IAFF members. Jack Jr. is a retired member of both Portsmouth Local 539 and Suffolk, VA Local 2801. Joe Sears is a member of Local 539 and Steve is a retired member of Virginia Beach Local 2924.

In addition to his sons and their families, Lilienthal is also survived by his daughter, Crystal Jennings, and her family.